DailySun
A 19-year-old woman in Tonga, Mpumalanga, is incredibly lucky to have survived being swept away while attempting to cross a flooded bridge over the Nkomazi River.
Fortunately, she managed to grasp onto some reeds in the rapidly flowing water and held on until rescuers arrived.
On January 10, 2025, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, a spokesperson for the Mpumalanga police, confirmed her rescue, stating that a bystander witnessed her being carried away by the river and alerted the authorities.
“Reports indicate that the young woman attempted to navigate the swollen bridge en route to Phiva when she was swept off but managed to grasp a reed in the river’s center,” Brigadier Mdhluli elaborated.
“A good Samaritan observed the incident and promptly contacted the police, leading to a coordinated response from various teams, including the Search and Rescue unit from the SA Police Service, Disaster Management, and local officials.”
Brigadier Mdhluli reported that the woman was successfully rescued by police utilizing a helicopter.
However, he urged caution against attempting to cross flooded streams and low-lying bridges.
A large crowd of onlookers gathered along the riverbank to witness the ongoing rescue efforts.
